Most people sleepwalk through life. They show up, go through the motions, and call it a day. But what if we approached our careers, education, and relationships with the intensity of professional athletes?

Consider football players. They obsess over every detail. They track their speed, monitor strength gains, and scrutinize game footage. Every practice, every play is a chance to improve. They maintain meticulous statistics, always hunting for that edge that could mean victory. Nothing is left to chance – they enter practice with a plan and games with a strategy.

I had a friend, Chris Goode, who played in the NFL. He told me the Indianapolis Colts had a separate field for tryouts, used year-round. Veterans knew that the moment they slipped, one of those hungry newcomers would take their spot. That served as positive pressure for him to constantly try to improve.

Now, look at the average office, classroom, or relationship. People shuffle through, ticking boxes on to-do lists. Where’s the drive to improve? Where’s the hunger to be better today than yesterday?

This mindset gap is glaring.

For those of you in school, adopt this athlete’s mentality. It’s not about grades; it’s about your approach to learning. I used to tell your parents I didn’t care about their grades, and I’m telling you the same. What matters is how you tackle your work, how you study, how you focus. I care about your efforts to find better ways to learn.

You’re smart, like your parents. Good grades will follow if your process and effort are solid. But beware: if you get good grades with poor habits, that’s luck. And luck runs out, usually when you need it most.

Why does this matter? Because relying on luck breeds complacency. When you hit a tough class – and you will – those habits will fail you. That’s why I stress process over grades. Ironically, this approach often leads to better grades anyway.

Think of an athlete preparing for a big game. They don’t just show up and hope for the best. They work daily, refining techniques, analyzing performance, always seeking improvement. Bring this mindset to your studies.

Treat study sessions like athletic practice. Be intentional about note-taking, review methods, and exam prep. Create a distraction-free zone for studying, just as athletes do for training. You wouldn’t check your phone mid-game, so don’t do it while studying.

Develop and refine your note-taking system. After each class or study session, review your approach. What helped you retain information? What improved understanding? Set specific goals for each study session, like an athlete would for practice. Make these goals SMAC: Specific, Measurable, Accountable, and Compatible with your overall academic aims.

Remember, the goal isn’t just good grades. It’s to truly grasp the material, build strong study habits, and foster a lifelong love of learning. That’s what will serve you long after school ends.

For those of you in careers, imagine bringing this same athlete’s mindset to your job. What if you rigorously measured your performance? What if you analyzed your “game tape” – critically reviewing your work? What if you set specific, measurable goals for improvement and deliberately practiced your skills, not just when forced to use them?

Your growth potential is enormous. This isn’t about working longer hours. It’s about working smarter, with intention. It’s about treating each day as a chance to hone your craft, whatever it may be.

Before ending your workday, craft tomorrow’s agenda. Set your tasks and review your calendar. This way, you start the next day immediately, with purpose. Ensure both your strategic and daily activities are SMAC. At day’s end, review your performance. What worked? What didn’t? Revise your process based on these insights, then repeat what works.

Now, let’s apply this mindset to relationships. Too often, we take our connections for granted, assuming they’ll always be there. But what if we approached relationships with the same dedication as an athlete preparing for a championship?

Set goals for your relationships. Maybe it’s spending quality time together, improving communication, or supporting each other’s growth. Regularly “review the tape” of your interactions. What went well? Where could you improve? Practice active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution like an athlete would practice their sport. Consciously express appreciation and affection. Remember, strong relationships, like athletic excellence, don’t happen by accident. They require consistent effort, reflection, and a willingness to grow.

Weak people rely on luck. Strong people look for cause and effect.

By implementing this athlete’s mindset across all areas of your life, you’re taking control of your destiny. You’re not leaving success to chance; you’re engineering it.

To my grandkids, I say this: approach your studies, career, and relationships like an athlete approaches their sport. Be relentless in your pursuit of improvement. Keep score. Analyze your performance. Set goals that scare you a little. Don’t just go through the motions. Master your life.

The world doesn’t lack for mediocre performers. What it needs are people who bring an athlete’s dedication to every aspect of their lives. Be one of those people.

The gap between good and great is often just a matter of approach.

Choose greatness.

Train accordingly.